Falmouth's Cishek closing in on stardom

It was a spring training with a different feel for Miami Marlins closer Steve Cishek, the Falmouth right-hander who came into camp with his role clearly defined.

RUSS CHARPENTIER

It was a spring training with a different feel for Miami Marlins closer Steve Cishek, the Falmouth right-hander who came into camp with his role clearly defined.

The gangly 6-foot-6 side-armer took the closer's role from an ineffective Heath Bell 1½ seasons ago and has developed into one of the National League's best. He has 49 saves, 34 of those coming last season in 36 opportunities. He finished the season with 29 straight saves after a rocky start.

There was speculation the Marlins might trade the arbitration-eligible Cishek, now about to begin his fourth full season in the majors. They didn't, and they didn't fight him in arbitration either, instead signing the 27-year-old to a nice one-year, $3.8 million contract.

Even when the Marlins signed former Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol, they made it clear Cishek was their closer, Marmol a the setup man.

"It was a little different than other spring trainings for me," said Cishek. "I was always trying to fight for a job, show them how I could pitch at this level and I should stay up here. It's encouraging that everything worked out well. But I'm still trying to feel like I'm competing for a job."

Statistically, 2013 was an impressive campaign for the 2007 fifth-round pick. Cishek made 69 appearances and finished an NL-leading 62 of those. His 34 saves tied for sixth in the league, and his 94 percent save ratio was tops among full-time NL closers. His 2.33 ERA fourth among those in the NL who closed for the entire season. He also had a low 1.08 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), sixth among National League closers.

Being cemented in the closer's role allowed Cishek a little more freedom this spring.

"Early in the spring I started throwing a split-finger to get a feel for it," he said. "I threw it a little last year. The last couple of outings I've stuck with fastball/slider to make sure those are working."

The split-finger could be an important pitch for Cishek. He needs an out pitch against left-handers, who batted .235 against him in 2013 as opposed to .185 for right-handers.

"My changeup just wasn't working anymore, I couldn't get a feel for it," he said. "I needed that change of pace to lefties if I got in trouble."

The addition of Marmol to the bullpen doesn't seem to phase Cishek.

"I think it's great. He's a veteran presence that we were kind of lacking. He also helps solidify the bullpen. He's proven in the past he can get the job done."

While Marmol slumped last year and was demoted as closer with the Cubs, the Marlins feel he still has good stuff. And Cishek doesn't feel threatened.

"I don't worry about that. I just enjoy playing baseball and want to help the team win."

Wins have been hard to come by in Miami. The Marlins had the worst record in the National League last year, losing 100 games. The Marlins lost 93 in 2012.

Cishek believes the team has added players who will help turn things around.

"Look at the moves. Rafael Furcal has played 14 seasons and been in the playoffs 12 times. Garrett Jones is coming off a playoff season (with the Pirates). And Salty (catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia) was a World Series champion with the Red Sox."

"He's an awesome communicator," Cishek said of Saltalamacchia. "He wants to learn what we do."

Cishek said he and his teammates are often asked for season predictions, but he's not making any.

"We're telling people we'll bust it every day. Those prediction things just get in people's heads."

Miami opens the season at home tonight against the Colorado Rockies (7 p.m., ESPN2).

Cishek said the NL East looks to be a tough division.

"The Nationals are pretty stacked. The Braves are the Braves. They'll have plenty of pitching. The Mets added players and their lineup will be tougher. The Phillies have a lot of veteran guys who have done it in the past. Hopefully, we'll do pretty well."

Cishek and his wife, Marissa, live in Jupiter, Fla., full time now. They returned to the Cape over the holidays for brief visits, but he said he loves Florida and doesn't think he'll be living in the north again. Especially after this winter.

"Jupiter is a beautiful, small town," he said. "It's got everything you need. Unbelievable restaurants and a beach down the street."